Opportunities

Spring 2026 CW360° Publication – Immigration and Child Welfare

Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, University of Minnesota

This issue of CW360° — featuring contributions from several members of the CICW research workgroup — offers a timely examination of how the current sociopolitical landscape and immigration status shape the lives of families, unaccompanied minors, and transition-age youth navigating an uncertain child welfare landscape.

• Building Equitable Child Welfare Service Systems for Immigrant Families: Models for Specialized Practice
  Sophia Sepp, LMSW, MPH, Kristina Lovato, PhD, MSW, Megan Finno-Velasquez, PhD, LMSW, Effie Clayton, MSW, and Kelechi Chinyere Wright, PhD
• An Examination of Immigration Status and Its Implications for Transition-Age Youth in the Child Welfare System
  Anthony Gómez, PhD, Kristina K. Lovato, PhD, Andrea Lane Eastman, PhD, and Mark E. Courtney, PhD
• Children’s Best Interests vs. Government’s Interests: How Does Immigration Court Differ From Juvenile Court?
  Susan Schmidt, DSW, LGSW
• Supporting Immigrant Children and Families in Child Welfare: A Comprehensive Training Overview
  Megan Finno-Velasquez, PhD, LMSW, & Sophia Sepp, LMSW, MPH, CHES

ISS-USA is seeking Independent Social Work Contractors!

International Social Service-USA

ISS-USA is actively recruiting social work professionals nationwide, with urgent openings in Oregon, New York, Maine, Alabama, and Pennsylvania (bilingual Spanish required).

Webinar Series: Guidance for Schools Navigating Uncertainty in an Era of Heightened Immigration Enforcement

MAEC Center for Education Equity & the National Newcomer Network at The Century Foundation • May 28, 2026 • 9:30amPT/12:30pmET

This multi-part webinar series offers schools and community organizations trauma-informed, research-backed strategies for supporting immigrant students and families amid escalating immigration enforcement.

Forced Migration Initiative Member Highlight

Forced Migration Initiative at Washington University’s Brown School (March 30, 2026)

This interview with Dr. Kristina Lovato, director of the Center on Immigration and Child Welfare, explores how immigration enforcement and deportation-related family separation shape the well-being of immigrant children and families, and what practitioners, researchers, and legal professionals can do to better support them.

Sign-on Opportunity: Ashley’s Bill – Protecting Detained Immigrant Children in Illinois

National Immigrant Justice Center & Children’s Legal Center

Advocates in Illinois are trying to pass Ashley’s Bill, legislation that would allow abused, abandoned, or neglected children in federal custody to petition for the legal findings needed to apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and a pathway to residency. Sign-on to support Ashley’s bill.

Take Action to Keep Immigrant Families Together

Action Network • April 21, 2026

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed a rule that could end rental assistance for mixed-status families, putting thousands of households at risk of eviction, separation, or homelessness. Submit a comment opposing the rule by April 21, 2026.

Consistent Health Coverage and Care: Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Immigrant Families

The Center for the Study of Social Policy • March 5, 2026 • 10amPT/1:00pm ET

This webinar will explore how escalating immigration enforcement and sweeping exclusions from health coverage are threatening immigrant families’ wellbeing. Panelists will discuss the history of exclusionary health policies, recent federal and state actions, and a vision for inclusive coverage solutions.

State and Local Language Access Efforts Amid Federal Policy Shifts

Migration Policy Institute • March 11, 2026 • 10:30amPT/1:30pmET

This webinar examines how state and local governments can protect and expand language access policies as the Trump administration declares English the official language and dismantles federal language access initiatives, leaving nearly 28 million limited-English-proficient U.S. residents facing growing uncertainty.

Empower Communities: Education & K-12 School Settings

National Immigration Law Center • March 11, 2026 • 11amPT/2pmET

This webinar will examine how heightened immigration enforcement is threatening the safety of immigrant students and families in schools, covering key policy changes, know-your-rights guidance, and advocacy opportunities for service providers and policymakers.

Empower Communities – Enforcement & Detention

National Immigration Law Center • March 25, 2026 • 11amPT/2pmET

This webinar will review the Trump administration’s first year of immigration policy changes, covering shifts in enforcement, detention, and deportation, as well as rights assertion and advocacy opportunities for direct service providers, advocates, and policymakers.